Foliage report: Colors are at or near peak

September 29, 2012

Leaf-peepers in the Adirondacks are in for a treat this weekend, as fall colors are expected to be at or near peak, according to Empire State Development's latest Fall Color Report.

The state's I Love New York advertising campaign issues fall foliage reports throughout the season to let travelers know what to expect when they hit the road.

"Cooler temperatures and the advancing calendar seem to have done the trick for New York State's magnificent fall foliage over the past week, and this weekend looks to be a great one for peak and near-peak foliage viewing in the Adirondacks, along with some beautiful near-peak and midpoint-of-change leaf peeping in the Catskills," the report reads.

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Maple leaves with hues of red and orange are seen here from the shore of Moody Pond in Saranac Lake on Wednesday.(Enterprise photo — Chris Morris)

Peak conditions are expected in and around Tupper Lake, with 90 to 95 percent color change, according to ILNY. Saranac Lake has 35 to 50 percent leaf change, "depending on the mix of hardwoods and the size of the body of water near the trees.

"Colors are muted reds, oranges and yellows, along with some scattered patches of vibrant red," the report said. "Along the Saranac River and in the wetlands on the eastern and northern edges of town color change is much higher due to the maples and alders, which are expected to be around 70-90 percent changed. In Paul Smiths the leaves will be between 75 and nearly 100 percent changed and brilliant. Birches have not changed much anywhere, nor have the silver maples. Look for vivid reds with oranges, contrasting nicely against the evergreens."

Essex County foliage observers reported this week that peak colors should be here by the weekend, especially in higher elevations.

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"Predominate red leaves are complimented by an assortment of orange, gold, yellow and burgundy leaves," the report said. "The Whiteface region surrounding the eastern base of Whiteface Mountain is somewhat behind the High Peaks, averaging around 50 percent change with golds, yellows and oranges predominating at this point."